Nancy Bell, pictured, plays Molly Rush, a wife and mother who joins an activist group known as the Plowshares Eight who lead an act of protest in a General Electric plant that manufactures nuclear warheads. Bell delivers a fierce performance. She never allows the character to come across as self-righteous. She explores the layers of Molly honestly and with an aching self-realization. less

Nancy Bell, pictured, plays Molly Rush, a wife and mother who joins an activist group known as the Plowshares Eight who lead an act of protest in a General Electric plant that manufactures nuclear warheads. ... more

Photo: Lon Brauer | For The Telegraph

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Joe Osheroff, pictured, plays Molly Rush’s husband, Bill, who believes that he can prevent Molly from taking protest actions. Osherhoff has a tricky job — his character comes across initially as a stereotypical “man of the house,” moving through various stages of denial and acceptance of his wife’s iron will. Yet, he emerges as a loyal supporter, whose love for Molly truly knows no limits. The performance is equal parts bluster, confusion and empathy. less

Joe Osheroff, pictured, plays Molly Rush’s husband, Bill, who believes that he can prevent Molly from taking protest actions. Osherhoff has a tricky job — his character comes across initially as a ... more

Photo: Lon Brauer | For The Telegraph

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One-act production ‘Molly’s Hammer’ smart, thoughtful, deserving of attention — at The Rep through March 27

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On the heels of the provocative “Disgraced,” which ended its run at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis earlier this month, comes the equally thought-provoking work, “Molly’s Hammer.”

Based on the true story of Molly Rush, a 1980s wife and mother consumed with the United State’s proliferation of nuclear weapons and its possible effects on her family and mankind, this production tackles universal themes; but it always manages to keep the story personal and grounded in the main character’s struggle to do what is right and just. Molly (Nancy Bell) joins a group known as the Plowshares Eight — activists led by a local priest who orchestrates an act of protest in a General Electric plant that manufactures nuclear warheads.

Molly warns her husband beforehand that she is going to engage in something “big” that will most likely result with her being sent to jail. But Bill (Joe Osheroff) believes that he can prevent her from action by a number of options that he puts into a list — a list that he references multiple times during their interactions, both before and after her incarceration and trial.

In less skilled hands, this could easily have become a maudlin and predictable tale of the underdog taking on a corporate or government behemoth and winning. Instead, we are given a gritty tale of a woman fighting a battle on several fronts. The front and center conflict is that of the nuclear arsenal and the possibility of a global Armageddon. Another is — and perhaps more relatable struggle — that of a woman fighting expected gender roles at a time when society still had fairly rigid expectations of what a wife and mother’s primary roles should be in both the household and society.

Was Molly selfless, selfish or both?

Stories like this are fascinating because much of what the audience takes from it largely hinges on their own individual experiences and beliefs. Bell delivers a fierce performance. She never allows the character to come across as self-righteous. She explores the layers of Molly honestly and with an aching self-realization of the effects that her activism has on her husband and children. There still is a chance to see this provocative production playing at the Rep through March 27.

Osherhoff has a tricky job as well — his character comes across initially as a stereotypical “man of the house.” Moving through various stages of denial and acceptance of his wife’s iron-willed sense of purpose, he emerges as a loyal supporter, whose love for Molly truly knows no limits. The performance is equal parts bluster, confusion and empathy.

Kevin Orton rounds out the cast playing multiple characters (including the activist priest). This device at first seemed unconventional and maybe even gimmicky, but Orton is so gifted at effectively changing physical mannerisms and speech that his performance ends up not only providing some much needed comic relief in places, it’s memorable in all the right ways.

Director Seth Gordon keeps things moving briskly in the one-act production, and the script by Tammy Gordon, based on the book “Hammer of Justice,” is smart and thoughtful.

“Molly’s Hammer” is a story that deserves your time and attention.

Freelance writer Donald C. Miller is a Telegraph contributing columnist who writes commentary, theater reviews and about regional pop culture. He is a playwright in his own right, author and teaches a writing course at Webster University where the St. Louisan received his master’s in media literacy. He also teaches Adult Basic Education courses at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville. Reach Don at writingcoach.don@gmail.com.